King County, WA

County

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2020 Population

2.23M

1.35% 1-year growth

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

8.42%

5.76% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$99,158

4.41% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$601,100

9.45% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

1.23M

1.55% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, King County, WA had a population of 2.23M people with a median age of 37 and a median household income of $99,158. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of King County, WA grew from 2.2M to 2.23M, a 1.35% increase and its median household income grew from $94,974 to $99,158, a 4.41% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in King County, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (58.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (18.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.36%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.71%), and White (Hispanic) (3.94%).

None of the households in King County, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

87.4% of the residents in King County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in King County, WA are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (14,935 degrees awarded in 2020), Green River College (2,925 degrees), and Seattle University (2,534 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in King County, WA was $601,100, and the homeownership rate was 56.5%. Most people in King County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.8 minutes. The average car ownership in King County, WA was 2 cars per household.

King County, WA borders Chelan County, WA, Kitsap County, WA, Kittitas County, WA, Pierce County, WA, Snohomish County, WA, and Yakima County, WA.

About the photo: The view on Rattle Snake Ridge.

Photo by Chad McDonald

United States Washington Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Diversity

King County, WA is home to a population of 2.23M people, from which 87.4% are citizens. As of 2020, 23.7% of King County, WA residents were born outside of the country (528k people).

In 2020, there were 3.19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.3M people) in King County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 406k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 142k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in King County, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.3M ± 1.74k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
406k ± 2.73k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
142k ± 2.24k

9.83%

Hispanic Population

219k people

9.83% of the people in King County, WA are hispanic (219k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in King County, WA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

23.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

528k people

23.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

508k people

As of 2020, 23.7% of King County, WA residents (528k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in King County, WA was 23.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.2

In 2020, the median age of all people in King County, WA was 37. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in King County, WA are getting staying the same age. In 2019, the average age of all King County, WA residents was 37.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
245,459 ± 11,963 people
India
87,443 ± 7,218 people
China
77,854 ± 6,815 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 245,459 Washington residents, followed by India with 87,443 and China with 77,854.

Citizenship

87.4%

2020 Citizenship

87.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 87.4% of King County, WA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in King County, WA was 87.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
30,866 ± 1,065
Gulf War (2001-)
19,611 ± 1,229
Gulf War (1990s)
13,102 ± 1,074

King County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.57 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Washington. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Washington, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Washington. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Washington across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in King County, WA is $99,158. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in King County, WA was Census Tract 241 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 246.02 and Census Tract 246.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $245,278.

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,193. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of King County, WA employs 1.23M people. The largest industries in King County, WA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (206,196 people), Retail Trade (146,488 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (145,299 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($112,384), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($103,903), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,054).

Wages

Median Household Income

$99,158

2020 value

± $944

4.41%

1 Year Growth

± 1.17%

Households in King County, WA have a median annual income of $99,158, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $94,974 in 2019, which represents a 4.41% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in King County, WA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

$82,611

Average Male Salary in Washington

± $1,547

$61,193

Average Female Salary in Washington

± $1,257

In 2020, full-time male employees in Washington made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Washington

Asian
$80,218 ± $3,539
White
$65,319 ± $1,078
Two or More Races
$53,715 ± $3,170

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Washington workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.23 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Washington.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for King County, WA is from Washington.

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Washington

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2020, the income inequality in Washington was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.301% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 241
Census Tract 246.02
Census Tract 246.01

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in King County, WA was Census Tract 241 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 246.02 and Census Tract 246.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $245,278.

The following map shows all of the tracts in King County, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

8.42% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in King County, WA (185k out of 2.19M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
87,480 ± 2,595
Asian
33,393 ± 1,585
Hispanic
30,721 ± 1,523

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in King County, WA is White, followed by Asian and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

1.23M

2020 Value

± 9,008

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 0.974%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 1.21M employees to 1.23M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in King County, WA, are Management Occupations (170,597 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (128,256 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (109,148 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of King County, WA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of King County, WA, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (170,597 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (128,256 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (109,148 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, King County, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (3.22 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.79 times), and Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, & Media Occupations (1.56 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of King County, WA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($123,659), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($111,254), and Legal Occupations ($104,004).

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.23M

2020 Value

± 9,008

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 0.974%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 1.21M employees to 1.23M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in King County, WA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (206,196 people), Retail Trade (146,488 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (145,299 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of King County, WA, though some of these residents may live in King County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in King County, WA, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (206,196 people), Retail Trade (146,488 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (145,299 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, King County, WA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.27 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.81 times), and Information (1.77 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in King County, WA, by median earnings, are Information ($112,384), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($103,903), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,054).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $105B, followed by Misc. mfg. prods. ($46.1B) and Mixed freight ($35.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington.

$500B

2020 Value in Washington

$980B

Projected 2050 Value in Washington

95.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Washington trade was $500B. This is expected to increase 95.8% to $980B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

Oregon
$34.9B
California
$26.9B
Hawaii
$23.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $34.9B, followed by California with $26.9B and Hawaii and $23.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in King County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.5%). The most partisan county was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (75%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (22.2%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.5%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in King County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.5%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in King County, WA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Washington.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for King County, WA

75% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Washington

King County, WA
75% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
San Juan County, WA
73.7% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Lincoln County, WA
73.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Washington was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Washington colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Washington

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Washington have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in King County, WA awarded 38,173 degrees. The student population of King County, WA is skewed towards women, with 58,350 male students and 73,367 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in King County, WA are White (16,544 and 50.1%), followed by Asian (6,177 and 18.7%), Hispanic or Latino (3,413 and 10.3%), and Two or More Races (2,634 and 7.98%).

The largest universities in King County, WA by number of degrees awarded are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (14,935 and 39.1%), Green River College (2,925 and 7.66%), and Seattle University (2,534 and 6.64%).

The most popular majors in King County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (4,995 and 13.1%), General Business Administration & Management (1,293 and 3.39%), and Registered Nursing (1,081 and 2.83%).

The median tuition costs in King County, WA are $29,892 for private four year colleges, and $3,727 and $4,241 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
673 degree-majorss awarded
Speech Communication & Rhetoric
527 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
502 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in King County, WA was Computer Science with 673 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in King County, WA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
14,935 degrees awarded
Green River College
2,925 degrees awarded
Seattle University
2,534 degrees awarded

$3,727

Median In-State Public

$29,892

Median Private

In 2020, the King County, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Washington-Seattle Campus with 14,935 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

16,564

Degrees Awarded to Men

21,609

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 16,564 men were awarded degrees from institutions in King County, WA, which is 0.767 times less than the 21,609 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in King County, WA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
16,544 degrees awarded
Asian
6,177 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
3,413 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in King County, WA was White students. These 16,544 degrees mean that there were 2.68 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 6,177 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in King County, WA was $601,100 in 2020, which is 2.62 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $549,200 to $601,100, a 9.45% increase. The homeownership rate in King County, WA is 56.5%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in King County, WA have an average commute time of 29.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in King County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$601,100

2020 Median

± $4,451

$549,200

2019 Median

± $3,891

In 2020, the median property value in King County, WA grew to to $601,100 from the previous year's value of $549,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in King County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In King County, WA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$99,158

Median Household Income

± $944

900k

Number of Households

± 7,399

In 2020, the median household income of the 900k households in King County, WA grew to $99,158 from the previous year's value of $94,974.

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In King County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

56.5%

2020 Homeownership

56.9%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 56.5% of the housing units in King County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.9%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in King County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

29.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in King County, WA have a longer commute time (29.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.31% of the workforce in King County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in King County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (58.3%)
Public Transit (12.5%)
Worked At Home (11.9%)

In 2020, 58.3% of workers in King County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (12.5%) and those who worked at home (11.9%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in King County, WA have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

94.7% of the population of King County, WA has health coverage, with 60.5% on employee plans, 12.6% on Medicaid, 9.52% on Medicare, 11.4% on non-group plans, and 0.709% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Washington was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see 830 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.121% increase from the previous year (829 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 912 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 216 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wahkiakum County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.8%). Additionally, Pend Oreille County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (41.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

830 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in King County, WA

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see an average of 830 patients per year. This represents a 0.121% increase from the previous year (829 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in King County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

$7,913

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Washington

$4,328

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,851

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,997

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Washington (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,609 to $7,913.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.3%

Uninsured

60.5%

Employer Coverage

12.6%

Medicaid

9.52%

Medicare

11.4%

Non-Group

0.709%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in King County, WA grew by 0.457% from 5.28% to 5.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in King County, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.